Temperature corrected tire pressure gauge and method

Abstract

Disclosed is a device ( 10 ) and method for determining a temperature-corrected tire pressure. A preselected baseline temperature ( 26 ) is measured or selected. A second temperature ( 28 ) is measured using a temperature probe ( 22 ). An actual tire pressure ( 30 ) is measured ( 24 ). A programmed processor calculates and displays ( 14 ) a corrected tire pressure ( 32 ) corresponding to the baseline temperature ( 26 ) according the ideal gas law.

1. A device for determining a temperature-corrected tire pressure, comprising:
 an input for selecting a baseline temperature; 
 a temperature measuring means for determining a second temperature wherein the second temperature is the actual current temperature of said tire; 
 a pressure measuring means for determining an actual tire pressure at the second temperature; 
 a processor for calculating a corrected tire pressure corresponding to the baseline temperature based on the actual tire pressure at the second temperature and any difference between the baseline temperature and the second temperature; and 
 a means for displaying the calculated corrected pressure. 
 
   
   
     2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature measuring means includes a tire temperature probe. 
   
   
     3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the baseline temperature is input using a temperature measuring probe. 
   
   
     4. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising memory means for recording a series of temperature and pressure measurements and calculations. 
   
   
     5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the displaying means also displays at least one of the baseline temperature, the second temperature, and the actual tire pressure. 
   
   
     6. An apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising memory means for recording a series of temperature and pressure measurements and calculations. 
   
   
     7. A method for determining a temperature-corrected tire pressure, comprising:
 selecting a baseline temperature; 
 providing a tire temperature measuring means; 
 measuring actual current tire temperature as an estimation of internal air temperature; 
 providing a tire pressure measuring means; 
 measuring tire pressure at current temperature; 
 comparing the first and second tire temperatures to determine any difference; 
 calculating an adjusted tire pressure corresponding to the baseline temperature according to any determined temperature difference; and 
 displaying the adjusted tire pressure. 
 
   
   
     8. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tire temperature measuring means includes a tire temperature probe. 
   
   
     9. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the baseline temperature is selected by input from the tire temperature probe. 
   
   
     10. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tire temperature measuring means and tire pressure measuring means are an integral unit. 
   
   
     11. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the tire temperature measuring means includes a tire temperature probe. 
   
   
     12. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising providing a memory means for recording a series of temperature and pressure measurements and calculations. 
   
   
     13. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising displaying at least one of the baseline temperature, the second temperature, and the actual tire pressure. 
   
   
     14. The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising providing amemory means for recording a series of temperature and pressure measurements and calculations.